Local roots at the Elder Law Institute

Attending the Elder Law Institute felt especially meaningful to me as a Westerville, Ohio native. Earlier in my career, I worked as an elder law paralegal handling Medicaid applications, so for years I knew many Ohio elder law firms only by name. Being able to attend this event in person at the Grand Event Center in Grandview felt like a full‑circle moment.

The conference provided a great opportunity to connect face‑to‑face with long‑time AshBer partners as well as new contacts. It was energizing to finally put faces to familiar names and to see firsthand how relationship‑driven the elder law community truly is.

One session that stood out was the paralegal panel, “Train Your Boss.” Coming from a paralegal background myself, I immediately connected with the panelists’ experiences. The discussion was practical, thoughtful, and highlighted the critical role paralegals play in guiding cases and supporting both attorneys and families.

On a personal note, being at an elder law event here in central Ohio was a reminder of why this work matters to me. When my grandparents were in assisted living in Gahanna, it was professionals in this community who helped my family navigate that time. The conversations, connections, and shared commitment I saw throughout the day reinforced how impactful this work is for seniors and their families.

To everyone who attended, thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to continuing to connect with and support the Ohio elder law community.